15 Biggest NBA Draft Busts Of All-time

Robert Traylor

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For a brief moment during the 1998 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks passed on taking Dirk Nowitzki (and Paul Pierce), and instead selected Robert “Tractor” Traylor with the sixth overall pick.But the Mavericks quickly and deftly traded Traylor for the rights to Nowitzki, as well as Pat Garrity, on draft night. Coincidentally, they subsequently used Garrity as part of a deal to bring Steve Nash to Dallas. Meanwhile, Traylor lasted just three seasons in Milwaukee, before they traded him away. It was later revealed that he had a heart condition, which likely led to some of his conditioning and weight problems.

Joe Barry Carroll (#1 1980) belongs on this list. Golden State traded C Robert Parish and a first round draft pick to Boston for the #1 pick of the 1980 draft. Boston used that pick to draft Kevin McHale. Parish was said to be too soft for a 7′ center – he didn’t rebound enough. With McHale and Larry Bird around him, Parish didn’t have to be an enforcer. The Celtics went to four straight NBA Finals (1984-87) and won two rings. Carroll was even softer than Parish, rarely rebounding. He played apathetically – his nickname “Joe Barely Cares” was well-earned. Teammates sometimes yelled at Carroll to get out of their way. In 1984, Carroll demanded a new contract and left for a year to play in Europe after Golden State refused. Incredibly, the Warriors took him back.